Voltaic cell



F. R. PARK ER VOLTAIG cELL' Sept. 18 1923.

Original Filed May 8, 1916 Inn/Emmi? WITNESSES:

7%ra/M S I cell and battery, the latter patent being a assie rannaaicx a. manna, or chrome, rumors.

von'rarc CELL.

Application filed Bay 8, 1916, Serial No. 98,067.

To all whom it may com-em.

Be it known that I, FREDERICK R. PARKER, I

, a citizen of the United Stat i residing at Chicago,

a and State of Illinois, have invented a new s of America, in the county of- Cook and'useful- Voltaic Coll, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred forms of the invention.

The voltaic'cell of this invention is an improvement on the voltaic cells set forth in my United States Letters Patents No. 1,182,202, dated May 9, 1916, and No. 1,333,771, dated March 16, 1920, on voltaic division of the former, both of said patents covering certam features of construction of the present invention. A modified form of the present invention forms the subject.

matter of my United States Letters Patent No. 1,366,095, dated Jan. 18, 1921, on voltaic cell and electrode. a

The design of the voltaic cell illustrated 'in this patent forms the subject-matter of my co-pending United States design patent application Serial No. 427,630, filed- Dec. 1, 1920, on design for voltaic cells.

My invention relates to voltaic cells and batteries.

The principal objects of my invention are, to provide-an improved voltaic cell as herein set forth; to provide improved constructions in voltaic cells as herein set forth; to provide an improved casing for voltaic cells as herein set forth; to provide improved electrodes for voltaic cells as herein set forth; and to provide simplicity of construction, cheapness of manufacture, and efficiency, in the voltaic cells of this invention.

Other objects will be apparent from this disclosure of the invention.

On the accompanying sheet of drawings illustrating the preferred forms of my invention, Figure 1 is a top or plan View of a volt-aic cell of the invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of'the cell of Fig. 1, taken'on plane y-g of Fig. 1, with portions shown in elevation; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a voltaic cell of the invention, taken the same as Fig. 2 and showing a modified construction of the cell; Figfa is anenlarged view of a part of Fig. 3, showing the detail of construction of the exterior wall of this form of cell; Fig. 5 is an tional view showing the Renewed September 1a, 1922. serial at. 588,081.

enlargedview of a part of Fig.2, showing the detail of construction of the exterior wall of this form of cell- Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a part of Fig. 2, showing the detail of construction of the edge of the easmg of the cell around the central opening the casing and Fig. 7 is a sectional elevadetail of construction of the central portion of the inner electrode of the cell.

Like. characters refe several figures. In the preferred forms of my invention, illustrated in the drawings, the voltaic cell has a two-part casing composed of the saucer-llke portions 1 and 2, which casing also serves cell, a plate-like electrode 3 disposed medially within the casing 1-2, exoitant-depolarizer filling material 4 between the electo like parts in the trodes l2 and 3, and suitable terminals-5v and '6 for the respective electrodes 1-2 and 3.

In thecell illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the I portions 1 and 2 of the casing of the cell are preferably carbonized metal portions formed in saucer-like shapes, one fitting into the other preferably as shown, the portions w 1 and 2 being secured together as hereinafter more fully described. I If desired, the portion 1 may fit into the portion '2, instead of the construction illustrated. The outer rim of the portion 2 of the casing is preferably rolled over as shown at 8, Fig. 5, to do away with any sharp edge thereof, and for the same reason the inner edge of the I portion 1 of the casing, where a hole is provided in the casing for the terminal 6 to project therethrough, is preferably rolled over as shown at 10, Fig. 6: The portions 1 and 2 of the casing are preferably composed of curvilinear portions preferably as shown,

so as to provide a curved surface for the top,

terminal 5 is preferably short and does not as an electrode member for the project out farther than the confines of the body of the cell. The casing 1-2 of the cell is preferably the cathode or electro-negative electrode of the cell illustrated.

The carbonized metal portions 1 and 2 which I preferably use for the casing of the cell and also for the electro-negative electrode of the cell, preferably comprise formed sheet-metal portions covered over their interior surfaces with a carbonaceous material preferably good conductors for connecting all portions of the covering 11 of the electrode conductively with the terminal member 5. These metallic portions 1 and 2 I may make of copper, brass, aluminum, zinc, bronze, cold-rolled steel, or various other metals. .For an electrode of high conductivity I preferably use copper, and for an elec trode of great strength and rigidity together with fair conductivity I preferably use cold-rolled steel electroplated with copper. tion of the electrode is of further advantage because it presents a rough surface to the carbonaceous covering which holds more securely thereto than to a smooth surface. For

the carbonizing covering 11 for the metallic portion of the electrode I use, preferably, a carbonaceous material, such as powdered graphite, carbon dust, powdered charcoal which has been well burned, or other carbonaceous materials, mixed with an adhesive non-conducting material which is imper vious to moisture and certain chemical solutions. For such an adhesive impervious material I preferably use a good insulating and waterproof varnish or enamel, or agood grade of shellac, or both. I may, of course, use various suitable varnishes, enamels, glues gums, Waxes, cements, paraffine, asphaltum, or other materials, or combinations thereof. I preferably mix the carbonaceous material with the adhesive material so as to form a rather thin mixture, and let this mixture stand until every particle of the carbonaceous material is thoroughly penetrated by the adhesive material or a component part thereof so that there will be no possibility of moisture or certain chemical solutions soaking into or through the particles of the carbonaceous material. I may then apply the mixed carbonizing material 11 to the metallic portio'ns of the electrode with a brush, or by dipping, or by spraying it onto the metallic portions. I may use a carbonizing material which is air-drying, or a material which must be baked after being The electroplating on the metallic por- I applied. I may also use one coat or-a number of coats of the carbonizing material on the metallic portions of the electrode. I have found that two coats, and even one coat if applied properly, givesverysatisfactory results. In applyingthecarbonizing material with a brush or by dipping, it is important to have it free from air bubbles, which, upon breaking, would leave holes in the carbonizing covering. I may also polish or dress down the carbonized surfaces of the electrode if I desire, to remove the exposed adhesive non-conducting material and present a surface of higher conductivity and a smoother surface if desired. I also contemplate producing the carbonized surfaces of the electrode, in some instances, by an electrolytic process.

Thecarbonized electrode above described is covered broadly in my United States Letters Patent No. 1,366,095, dated Jan. 18, 1921, on voltaic cell and electrode.

Carbonized high-potential electricity arrester electrodes, constructed as above described, form the subject-matter of my copending United States patent application Serial No. 434,414, filed Jan. 3, 1921, on high-potential electricity arrester electrode, which is a division of my United States Letters Patent No. 1,366,095, dated Jan. 18, 1921, on voltaic cell and electrode.

In the voltaic cell illustrated, it can be seen that the carbonizing covering 11 of the electrode 12 completely covers the interior surface of the casing 12 of the cell, so that there is no possible chance of the filling material 4 or the electrolyte contained therein coming into actual contact with the metal of the portions 1 and 2 of the casing, al though the carbonized covering 11 of the electrode serves as a carbon electrode for the cell and conductively connects the filling material 4 with the metallic portion 1-2 of the electrode. This feature of my invention enables me to place the zinc electrode of my cell in the interior thereof, which is important in dry cells on account of the consumption of the zinc and its consequent inferiority for the casing of a voltaic cell. My carbonized electrode 12 11 is not consumed as ZIIIC 1s, in a voltaic cell, and consequently provides a strong durable casing for the contents of the cell, which does not deteriorate nor become eaten through during the life of the cell. The advantages of such an electrode-casing, in voltaic cells and especially in dry cells, can undoubtedly be readily seen.

To make a tight and moisture-proof joint between the portions 1 and 2 of the casing of the cell, where such portions overlap, I preferably provide a construction as'shown in Fig. 5. In this constructionit will be seen that the carbonizing material 11 exends compl ely over and. around the rolled edge 8 of the portion 2 of the casing, and pounds. The material 13 and is p'referthat the carbonizing material 11 on the two ably in a thin molten state when poured into portions 1 and 2 of the casing comes together the cell to seal same.

and extends between the portions 1 and 2 The electrode 3 preferably comprises a 'for a little distance as shown'at 12. 'Where zinc late or disk 3. Rather thick porous the carbonizing material 11 ends, between pulpoard disks 18 18 are placed on op 0- the portions 1 and 2, the'space, between 1 site sides of the zinc plate 3 to'keep the 11- and 2 is sealed for a certain distancelby an ingmaterial 4 out of actual contact with-the adhesive insulating material 13 which is zinc plate '3. The pulp-board disks 18 18 pouredinto place in'a'molten' state. This are preferably considerably larger than the sealing material 13 completely seals over electrode 3 so that they extend over the 76 the outer edges of the carbonizing material outer edge of the disk 3 and come into con- 11 between the portions 1 and 2 and absotact with each other as shown at 19. This lutely prevents any moisture or chemical construction completely separates the zinc solution from working out of the cell beplate 3 from the solid portions of the filling. w n e ortions 1 an 2 rqmmg n material 4 which'would cause a short-cir- 80 contact w t the metal of the portions 1 and cuit of the cell if they come into contact with Exterlor 0f Seallng mattllal 13 I the zinc 3. The outer edge of the plate 3'is' preferably further seal the space between the preferably rounded ofl or thinned down as carbonizing material 11 as shown in Fig. 6, The metallic cup-shaped portion 16 is positions.

. metallic portion 7 of the casing of the cell disk 18, are insulated with an adhesive inwider'space between the parts 1 and 7. for terial 4 or the moisture or chemical solution a 4 may be a mixture of powdered graphite or enabled, by the use of my improved cardioxide, salammoniac, and water, preferably cell considerably thinner than otherwise. 12o

- suitable chemical mixture. When I use electrode 1 2, there is no possible chance of glue, or various other materials or comis connected directly to the carbon. My importions 1 and 2 with a low-melting-point shown, to do away with the sharp corners metallic solder 14, to firmly and securely thereof and permit the disks 18 18 of nonhold the portions 1 and 2 of thercasing toconducting material to fit together better g i r an ctrically connect them with over the edge of the late 3. ll may use va- 7 each other. Thus it can be readily seen that rious materials for the disks 18 18, and in this joint when completed isabsolutely tight some forms of my cell I may use other maand rigid. The rolled edge 10 of the porterials besides zinc for the inner electrode 3 tion 1 of the casing isalso covered by the of the cell. i

and this edge 10 is then covered by the adpreferably soldered to the center of the elechesive-insulating sealing material 15 prefertrode3, and the terminal post 6, which is abl as shownm Fig. 2, so that the cell is preferably alon screw post with alon nut 9 sea ed perfectly tight between the portion 1 is preferably soldered lnto the cup-sl aped of the casing and the cup-shaped portion 16, portion 16 as shown. The center of the upand the parts are firmly held in their proper er disk 18 of Fig. 2 is cut away as shown a at 21 in Fig. 7, so that this disk 18 may be The cell partially illustrated in Fig. 3 is placed down over the cup-shaped portion 16 similar to the cell i lustrated in Fig. 2, with as shown. A portion-of the exterior of the the exception of the jointbetween the porcup-shaped portion 16 and a portion of the A tions' 1 and 7 of the casing, which joint is upper surface of the zinc'disk 3, adjacent shown in detail in Fig. 4. In this modificathe portion 16. and extending a short distion of the invention the edge 17 of the tance under the inner edge 21 of the upper is rolled outwardly instead of inwardly as sulating varnish as shown at 20, so that in Figs. 2 and 5. This construction gives a there is no possible chance of the filling mathe adhesive insulating sealing material 13 contained therein, coming into contact with and the metallic solder 14 which are applied any metal portion of the electrode member substantially as described in connection with 3 16 at these parts.

the construction of Figs. 2 and 5. It will be As the electrode'12 of my improved cell noted that in Fig. the carbonizing material of this invention does not take up as much 11 extends completel over and around the space as a urely carbon electrode would, 1 15 rolled edge portion 1%. which would necessarily be a great deal The excitant-depolarizer filling material thicker than my carbonized electrode, I am on dust, or both, with manganese bonized electrode'1-2, to make my voltaic as chemically pure as possible, or some other Furthermore, with my improved carbonized graphite as the carbonizing material 11 on the electrolyte in the filling material 4 soakthe electrode 1-2 I preferably use graphite ing its way to the terminal post 5 andatherein the filling material 4. by setting up a detrimental chemical action aTh'e adhesive insulating sealing material in the cell, as may be the case with an ordi- 13 and 15 may be a mixture of pitch and nary voltaic cell in which the terminal post proved carbonized electrode eliminates the necessity of any special treating of the carbon, as Where carbon alone is used.

I prefer graphite to carbon, as a carbonizing material for my electrode 12, because -1t is not as porous as carbon, 15 a better conductor of electricity; and forms a smoother and more compact covering. The graphite may also be more readily dressed own or polished thaw-carbon. The use of graphite in the filling material 4 of my cell, together with my improved carbonized electrode 12 coated with a graphite mixture, and being of higher conductivity and having a larger extent of surface than an ordinary carbon electrode, provides a voltaic cell of very low internal resistance and consequently a cell of very high amperage. With such a cell weighing about threefourths' as much as the standard No. 6 dry cell, I have gotten more than fifty amperes of current on short-circuit, as against a maximum of thirty-three amperes on shortcircuit of a N0. 6 dry cell on a test of a mimber of No. 6 cells. With my improved voltaic cell, having such a low internal resistance, the wattage loss in the cell, on usage, is considerably less than in the ordinary No. 6 dry cell, with the same current, and consequently the wattage supplied to the external circuit is greater with my cell, and this with a cell much lighter in weight than the ordinary. I can, of course,'increase the internal resistance of my cell if this is desired in manners well understood.

The long terminal post 6 with the long nut thereon is provided on my cells for the purpose of connecting two or more of the cells together to form a battery, as set forth in my United States Letters Patent No. 1,182,202, dated May 9, 1916, on voltaic cell and battery, above mentioned.

The process of "manufacturing my improved voltaic cell from its. component parts consists of the following The terminals 5 and 6 having been properly soldered to their respective electrodes 2 and 3 as above set forth, in the manufacture of these'electrodes, the saucer-shaped portions 1 and 2 of the casing of the'cell, properly coated with the carbonizing material 11-as above set forth, are now placed on a table with the rims thereof projecting upwardly and are filled to the proper depth with the moist excitant-depolarizer material 4, preferably with the aid of a filling machine. Then the pulpboard disks 18 18 are placed on top of the-respective filled saucer-shaped portions 1 and 2. Then the electrode 3 is placed on top of the pulpboard disk 18 in the saucer-shaped portion 1 of the casing, the terminal 6 and the cup-shaped portion 16 projecting down through the central opening in the filled portion 1 of the casing. Then the two halves of the cell are placed together as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the rim of the portion 2 of the casing slipping into the portion 1 of the casing preferably as shown Then the cell as a whole is put into a press and the halves thereof are pressed together the required amount to properly compress the filling material 4 and reduce the internal resistance of the cell to the reguired value, the internal resistance of the cel being measured as the pressure is applied. Then when the cell is compressed the required amount the space betweenthe portions 1 and 2 (or 1 and 7) of the casing is sealed at 13 and the portions 1 and 2 (or 1 and 7) are soldered to ether at 14:, as above set forth, entirely around the cell, while the cell is held under the required pressure. T hen, finally, the cell is set upright and the sealing material 15 is heated and poured into place around the cup shaped portion 16 as shown. During the manufacture of the cell I preferably insert a hollow cylindrical portion of insulating material into the central opening in the por-' tion 1 of the casing, far enough to hold the inner wall of the filling material' t in the portion 1 in place, the cup-shaped portion 16 with its terminal 6 extending into this hollow cylindrical portion when the clea trode 3 is put in place on the half 1 of the cell. This hollow cylindrical portion also serves as a guide for centering the apertured disk 18 and the electrode 3 on the material 4 in the portion 1 of the casing.

By the process described immediately above, the cells may be very readily and easily manufactured, and may be made exceedingly uniform in resistance and electrical output. My cells, constructed in this manner, are very rigid and substantial and are not easily damaged in handling.

The above-described process of constructing my voltaic cells forms the subject-mat ter of my copending United States patent application Serial No. 432,027, filed Dec. 20, 1920, on process of producing uniform voltaic cells, which is a division of my United States Letters Patent No. 1,366,095, dated Jan. 18, 1921, on voltaic cell and electrode.

Electrical conductors may be connected with the terminal posts 5 and 6 of the cell, under the respective nuts carried by ,the posts, in a manner well understood.

I wishit to be understood that I do not desire to limit this invention to the particular details of'construction, nor to the particular materials, herein set forth, as various modifications thereof may be made or utilized without departin from the scope of the appended claims. I also wish it to be understood that the several features of the invention may be utilized either singly or collectively without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What I cl im ere n as y n ent n i I utilized as the carbon electrode of the cell.

a zinc electrode dis sed medially within the casing, a suitab e porous covering of non-conducting material for the zinc electrode, and suitable excitant-depolarizer material between the electrodes.

2. A voltaic cell having a casing composed of two saucer-like portions, the rim of one saucer-like portion being rolled over and extending into the other saucer-like portion, insulating sealing material sealing the space between the rims of the saucer-like portions, and metallic solder soldering the saucer-like portions together. i

3. A'voltaic cell having an electrode comprising acasing for the contents of the cell composed of two metallic saucer-like portions, the rim of one "saucer-like .portion being rolled over and extending into the other saucer-like portion, carbonizing material covering the inner surfaces of the saucer-like portions and extending over the rolled rim of the one saucer-like portion, insulating sealing material sealing the space between the rims of the saucer-like portions.

and metallic. solder soldering the saucerlike portions together.

' 4. A voltaic cell having a casing composed of two saucer-like portions, the rim of one saucer-like portion being rolled over and extending into the other saucer-like portion, the space between the rims of the saucer-like portlons being sealed and the saucer-like portions having direct electrical connection \with each other.

' metallic casing.

[non-conducting -materialmedially-disposed l 5. A voltaic cell having an electrode comprisin a metallic casin for the contents of the co 1 covered on the interior thereof with carbonaceous material.

6. A voltaic cell having an electrode comprisin a metallic casin for the contents of the co covered on the interior thereof witha mixture of carbonaceous material and adhesive non-conducting mter1al unpervious to moisture. applied;

7. A cake-like voltaic cell having a carbonized metallic casiiig for the contents of the cell constituting one/of the electrodes thereof, a plate-like zinc electrode concentricall located withinthc said casing and media ly disposed therein with respect to the thickness of the cell, a porous lining of for the said electrode, excitant-deolarizer material fillin the said casing on oth sides of the sai medially-disposed electrode, and means on opposite sldes of the cell for making electrical cbnnections with the respective electrodes.

8. A cake-like voltaic cell having. a carfetly to the ness of the cell, excitant material within the casing on both sides of the said,

sa1d medially-disposed electrode, terminals for the electrodes.

9. A disk-shaped voltaic cell having a carbonized metallic casing for the contents of the cell constituting one of the electrodes thereof, a late-like zinc electrode disposed medially wlthin the said casing with respect to the thickness of the cell, a porous lining of non-conducting material for the said medially-disposed electrode. excitant-depolarizer material filling the said casing on both sides of the said medially-disposed electrode, and means on o posite sides of the cell for making electrica connections with theores ctive electrodes. carbonized metallic casing for the contents of the cell constituting one of the electrodes thereof, a plate-like electrode disposed medlally, within the said casing with respect to theth lckness of the cell, excitant material w1th1n the said casing on both sides of the said medially-disposed suitable terminals for the electrodes.

11. In a voltaic cell having greater breadth than height when in.an upright position,a carbonized metallic casing for the contents of the cell constituting one of the electrodes thereof, trode for the cell dis osed horizontally therein and medially with respect to the top and bottom of the cell when the cell is in said uprlght position, a porous lining of non-conducting material for the said medially-disposed electrode, excitant-depolarizer material filling the said casing on both sides of the said medially-disposed electrode, and means on opposite sides of the cell for making electrical connections with the re and suitable 'spective electrodes.

cell havmg greater electrode, and

a plate-like zinc elecdisk-shaped voltaic cell having a composed of two metallic saucer-like portions, the rim of one saucer-like portion being rolled over and extending into the other of the cell electroplated on the interior thereof with copper and having a covering comprising a mixture of carbonaceous material and adhesive non-conducting material impervious to moisture over the copper.

16. A voltaic cell having an electrode comprising a sheet steel casing for the contents of the cell electroplated on the interior thereof with copper and having a covering of carbonaceous material over the copper. v

17. A voltaic cell having an electrode comprising a metallic casing for the contents of the cell electroplated on the interior thereof with metal and having a covering of carbonaceous material over the elec- ,troplating.

3 of the cell covered on the interior thereof 18. voltaiccell" having an electrode comprising a metallic casing for the contents with a mixture of carbonaceous material and adhesive non-conductingmaterial impervious to moisture, the exposed surface of the said covering being polished.

19. A voltaic cell having an electrode comprising a metallic casing for the contents of the cell covered on the interior thereof with a mixture of carbonaceous material' and adhesive non-conducting material impervious to moisture, the exposed surface of the said covering being dressed down to remove the exterior of the said nonconducting materlal.

20. A voltaic cell having. an electrode comprising a metallic casing for the contents of the cell covered on the interior thereof with a mixture of carbonaceous ma terial and adhesive material, the exposed surface of the said covering being dressed down to provide a fresh surface of the required finish.

21. A voltaic cell having a casing constituting an electrode for the cell, a zinc plate disposed medially within the casing, portions of porous non-conducting material on opposite sides of the zinc plate and covering same, and suitable excitant material between the zinc plate and casing.

As inventor of the foregoin I 'hereunto sgllizcribe my name, this 6th ay of May, 1

FREDERICK R. PARKER.

Witnesses: I

O'rro KISCHEL Trmonoma E. scrmn. 

